The federal Department of Health and Human Services ignited a political firestorm in January thats still smoldering when it declared institutions of the Catholic Church would have to include coverage of contraception, sterilization and abortifacients in their employee insurance policies.

Most Americans initially backed the church in its contention that the HHS requirement, conjured out of the Affordable Care Act, violated the constitutional guarantee of religious liberty by forcing the church to provide drugs and services that run counter to its moral teachings.

So the Obama administration engaged in a sleight-of-hand by declaring a compromise in which the insurance companies, not the church institutions, would pay the bill for the drugs, devices and procedures.

This Machiavellian ploy would have impressed even the Medici. The administration knew full well...

Important because this does not simply involve groups (like the Catholic Church)...but also individuals who would be forced by the state to run their businesses in a manner counter to their own religious beliefs.

That is the problem. The Catholic Church has a foot in each camp. It has long advocated for things like universal health care and paying for healthcare for illegals. Then it happens and they are shocked that it includes all kinds of provisions that go against church teachings, like abortion and contraception coverage. They don’t seem to understand that any government program will be twisted into a Godless, Socialistic nightmare. There is no such thing as “Christian Socialism” that provides benefits to all with some Christian moral component.

5
posted on 05/01/2012 6:29:04 AM PDT
by Opinionated Blowhard
("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")

There is no such thing as Christian Socialism that provides benefits to all with some Christian moral component

To many libs, the free practice of religion should begin and end at the church door. In other words, the only "practice" they might support, is a Christian attending a service. Once a Christian is out of their religious service, they'd better not dare live a life of Christ, in this secular world.

7
posted on 05/01/2012 7:35:01 AM PDT
by Lou L
(The Senate without a filibuster is just a 100-member version of the House.)

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